Education

Sununu and Bush-Leaving Our Children Behind

Even with a decline in American competitiveness, Sununu still votes to cut funding to critical education programs and against attempts to make college more affordable.

He voted for "No Child Left Behind" and then let it go unfunded...

Sununu Voted At Least Eight Times Against Fully Funding No Child Left Behind. Since 2003, Sununu has voted at least eight times against fully funding No Child Left Behind. Sununu's votes included a 2004 vote against $8.6 billion in additional education funding, and two votes against additional funding in 2003, one for $8.9 billion and one for $6 billion. Also in 2003, Sununu voted against an amendment that would have required the prohibition of the implementation of No Child Left Behind unless at least $18.5 billion was appropriated for the program. [Vote 64, 3/16/06; Vote 269, 10/26/05; Vote 45, 3/14/05; Vote 35, 3/10/04; Vote 342, 9/10/03; Vote 330, 9/9/03; Vote 60, 3/19/03; Vote 5, 1/16/03]

Along with other critical programs for our children.

Sununu One of Only 27 Who Voted Against $7 Billion for Health Care & Education Programs. In March 2006, Sununu was one of only 27 Senators who voted against an amendment to increase FY2007 education and health care funding by $7.1 billion. The amendment was proposed in order to restore many of Bush's budget cuts to health care, education and job training programs. [Vote 58, 3/16/06]

Sununu Voted Against After School Programs 5 Times. Since 2003, Sununu has voted against funding for after school programs at least five times. [Vote 279, 10/27/05; Vote 53, 3/11/04; Vote 340, 9/10/03; Vote 99, 3/25/03; Vote 86, 3/25/03]

In the Senate Alone, Sununu Has Voted Against Head Start 3 Times. Since 2003, Sununu has voted three times against increased funding for Head Start even thought more than 1,600 New Hampshire children are enrolled [Vote 272, 10/26/05; Vote 333, 9/9/03; Vote 86, 3/25/03]

Sununu Has Voted Against Special Education Funding At Least Eight Times As A Member of the Senate. Since joining the Senate in 2003, Sununu has voted at least eight times against increased funding for special education. [Vote 94, 3/22/07; Vote 79, 3/17/05; Vote 273, 10/26/05; Vote 93, 5/12/04; Vote 324, 9/3/03; Vote 103, 3/26/03; Vote 70, 3/21/03; Vote 4, 1/16/03]

Sununu Voted Against Special Education Funding. During the budget debate earlier this year, Sununu voted against an amendment that would have increased Special Education funding by $44.2 billion over five years – starting with a $10.3 billion increase in 2008. The funding would have been paid for by eliminating George Bush's tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. [Mikulski Release, 3/22/07; Vote 94, 3/22/07]

Instead of helping with tuition costs, he votes to keep them high.

Sununu Cast a Crucial Vote for the Largest Student Loan Cut in History, Cut Student Loans by $12.7 Billion. Sununu cast a deciding vote for the 2006 budget reconciliation bill that cut $12.7 billion from federal student aid programs, the largest student aid cuts in history. The measure was approved 50-50 with the Vice President voting to break the tie. [Vote 363, 12/21/05; Washington Post, 12/19/05

In the Senate, Sununu Voted Against Increasing Pell Grant Awards Four Times. Since 2003, Sununu has voted a number of times against increasing Pell Grant funding in order to boost the maximum Pell Grant award for students. [Vote 39, 3/14/06; Vote 68, 3/17/05; Vote 51, 3/11/04; Vote 331, 9/9/03]

Sununu Was One of 8 to Oppose College Aid Increase. In 2005, Sununu was one of only eight Senators to vote against a motion requiring budget negotiators to insist that the final budget include provisions to increase need-based financial aid for college tuition. Vote 356, 12/15/05; Kennedy Press Release, 12/15/05]

John E. Sununu is not improving our education problems.